Manila, Oct. 1 -- Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday assured senators that the Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing its quick response fund (QRF) and tapping Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage to assist victims of the powerful earthquake that struck Cebu Tuesday night.

At the Senate Committee on Finance's deliberation of the DOH's proposed 2026 budget, Herbosa said at least PHP166 million remains in the agency's QRF, which will be used for immediate needs such as medicines, surgical supplies, and repair of damaged health facilities in Cebu and Masbate.

"The Health Emergency Management Bureau has a quick-release fund. We use it for emergencies like this," he said, noting that President Ferdinand R. Mar...